More Top Stories
‘Nothing to worry about’: Prime Minister Brown on China agreement
16 February 2025
‘Serious questions’: Opposition challenges China partnership
15 February 2025
No-confidence motion against PM and his Cabinet faces delays
15 February 2025
Ruta Mave: People’s Republic of China red flag
10 February 2025
No debt in China deal
8 February 2025
Thomas Wynne: Haka with the taniwha or dance with the dragon?
8 February 2025
‘Paedophile’ gets 13 years in prison
22 January 2025
Thomas Wynne: Where were our leaders while children suffered?
25 January 2025
$541.7m tourism earnings
25 January 2025
Cook Islands passport proposal
6 January 2025
Top cop position advertised
7 December 2024
Police need numbers and bigger budget
9 December 2024
Niki Rattle: A call for stronger human rights protections
10 December 2024
Solid and Hazardous Waste Bill referred to Parliament committee
10 December 2024
DPM defends CIIC finance and travel policies
6 December 2024
Cook Islands has its first mosque
14 November 2024
CI Muslim opens up about her faith and journey
16 November 2024
RAC to address mosque legality
19 November 2024
I don’t expect much change: PM Brown on US Elections
6 November 2024
Fifth weekly Sydney flight to Rarotonga announced
23 October 2024
CIIC directors seek $350,000 in damages over defamatory claims
21 October 2024
Man found guilty of rape, burglary
24 September 2024
Tenants face water bill burden
8 October 2024
Concerns over Minister’s role in inmate work releases: PAC
5 October 2024
Tourism contribution set to surpass half-billion dollar mark
25 September 2024
Parliament Clerk sparks outrage over deep sea mining statement
23 September 2024
Deep sea dilemma: Cook Islanders weigh the cost of mineral riches
21 September 2024
Anxiety on the rise: Cook Islands faces mental health challenge
7 September 2024
Cook Islands deep sea mining poll sparks controversy
7 September 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Articles by Talaia Mika
Cook Islander challenges nationality argument for passport
Saturday 8 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National
Cook Islander Joe Caffrey, who opposed government’s proposal for a national passport, is querying the validity of the Cook Islands identification card which was issued to him over 30 years ago.
Divided views on national identity as Government ditches passport plan
Saturday 8 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, Local, National
The decision by Prime Minister Mark Brown to drop the proposal for a Cook Islands passport is welcome news to many, including four elders who shared their excitement with Cook Islands News journalist Talaia Mika.
Home turf advantage: Tupapa confident ahead of Qualifiers
Saturday 8 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Football, Sports
Cook Islands’ very own Tupapa Maraerenga club is ready to battle it out on the field against two Samoan teams at the 2025 OFC Men’s Champions League Qualifying Stage which starts this afternoon.
Visitors ready for football challenge
Friday 7 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in American Samoa, Football, Regional, Samoa, Sports
As the Cook Islands Football Association gears up to host the 2025 OFC Men’s Champions League Qualifying Stage, one of the visiting teams is determined to win, as they feel at home in Rarotonga.
Leaders call for stronger measures amidst drug trafficking concerns
Friday 7 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Crime, National
Transnational crime continues to be a growing concern for Cook Islands’ borders.
Optimistic Bulldogs ready for League 13s
Thursday 6 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in League, Sports
Titikaveka Bulldogs are optimistic with their performance for the 2025 Cook Islands Rugby League 13’s season as they kick off their first match against Arorangi Bears tomorrow.
Australia and Cook Islands to sign MoU, strengthen maritime security partnership
Wednesday 5 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Australia, Economy, National, Regional
Cook Islands and Australia are in the process of finalising an enhanced Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will strengthen Australia’s support for Te Kukupa II operations and bolster regional security efforts.
Australia commits to ongoing collaboration with Cooks on transnational crime threats
Wednesday 5 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Australia, Crime, Economy, National, Regional
Australian High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, Phoebe Smith is confident that through the Te Kukupa II maritime patrol vessel, Cook Islands with the support from Australia can tackle transnational crimes such as drug trafficking.
Police decry ‘high tolerance’ of careless, dangerous driving
Tuesday 4 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Crime, National
The Cook Islands Police Services stressed that there seem to be a high tolerance of drivers’ carelessness and recklessness on the road, as car crashes continue to emerge.
Rarotonga tattoo artist warns of fake bookings, leaving tourists needled
Tuesday 4 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Art, Features, Local, National
A growing number of tourists are falling victim to fraudulent tattoo bookings in Rarotonga, with scammers impersonating local artists and collecting deposits through social media.
Religious debate heats up
Monday 3 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National
The spokesperson for the Rarotongan Muslim community has weighed in on the ongoing religious debate following the establishment of the new Christian movement and its plans to challenge the Cook Islands Government.
Bail denied for motorcyclist in Arorangi fatal hit-and-run
Monday 3 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, Crime, National
A 24-year-old father of two, charged with negligent driving causing death following a fatal hit-and-run in Arorangi last week, was denied bail by the Criminal Court in Avarua over the weekend.
Man, 24, arrested and charged in connection with fatal hit-and-run
Saturday 1 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Crime, National
A 24-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a fatal hit-and-run incident that took place in Arorangi on Tuesday night.
Passion for education: Mangaia’s daughters answer the call to teach
Saturday 1 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, Features, National, Weekend
Driven by a passion for education and a desire to serve their community, two Mangaia teenagers are among the first trainees at the newly launched Cook Islands Teacher Development Centre.
PM: Hit-and-run investigation being conducted ‘thoroughly’
Friday 31 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Crime, National
The investigation into the tragic hit-and-run that claimed the life of an elderly woman is being conducted “professionally and thoroughly”, Prime Minister Mark Brown told Cook Islands News last night.
Dream come true: Aspiring teachers join new training programme
Friday 31 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
A 15-member cohort of aspiring teachers was welcomed yesterday by the Ministry of Education officials, coinciding with the official opening of the Cook Islands Teacher Development Training Centre.
Teacher training centre opens, welcomes new cohort
Friday 31 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
The Cook Islands Teacher Development Centre officially opened yesterday and welcomed 15 new members and aspiring teachers of its first cohort, with one recruited from overseas.
Ministry confirms 46 per cent pass rate for NCEA Level 1
Monday 27 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
The Secretary for Education, Owen Lewis has confirmed that the NCEA Level 1 pass rate is 46 per cent which can eventually change as the results are only preliminary at the moment.
Nukutere inducts 14 new prefects
Saturday 25 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
Families, friends and loved ones of 14 Nukutere College students gathered together yesterday to celebrate their induction as newly-selected prefects for this academic year.
First 2025 cruise ship - tourists explore Rarotonga’s beauty
Thursday 23 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Tourism
The first cruise ship for the year, Viking Sky arrived safely on Rarotonga’s shores yesterday, bringing over 800 tourists excluding the crew members to explore the island. Tour operators and businesses were seen lining up around the Avatiu wharf welcoming the tourists.
